Eating in Dublin and Swirling

September 22, 2013 | Tanisha Shulamit |

I spent a wonderful four days in Dublin, after 14 months teaching English in S. Korea. So far almost 2 weeks after leaving Mumbai, India and a month after leaving S. Korea, I have been in eternal bliss.

I found myself wondering the streets of the thousand year old city with a friend, when we stumbled upon a restaurant called Bear. I will do another post on Bear soon. Anyhow, the manager at Bear told us about their sister restaurant Crackbird where they served free range fried chicken….ok so they had us at fried chicken.

Crackbird is an awesome little place that has a very organic and minimalistic atmosphere, but the food, the food is exceptional.

They do not serve soft drinks or french fries here. Instead, you can choose from one of four of their delicious homemade lemonades. We ordered the Rhubarb lemonade and it was refreshingly fantastic, served in a large mason jar.

Then came the fantastic yummy stuff. Reminiscing about it is making my mouth water. My friend and I ordered the soy (glutenfree) fried chicken wings served with thyme honey sauce and the habanero wings.

Since they do not serve ‘chips’ aka french fries we ordered the hand-rolled croquettes.

All sauces are made in house and the prices are very reasonable. For two people, we spent €25.

If you are looking for a great place to eat out while in Dublin, do not pass up Crackbird, located at 60 Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland. It would be the best thing you ever did.

As for swirling in the capital city of the south, I saw more black people than Irish people–over exaggeration– but let’s say there are many blacks in Dublin. I even saw an Irish lad pushing a mixed-race baby in a stroller. I received a few flirtatious comments and stares, which leads me to believe that Dubliners are indeed open to swirling and black women. The cabbies were friendly and very knowledgeable and the people in general were very friendly and open.

If you are looking for fun in a beautiful place and possibly an opportunity to swirl, Dublin may be a good place. I will be revisiting soon with more of an insight.

I loved Dublin! I so need to go back…soon. I am making sure to write Crackbird in my travel notes. My mouth got juicy looking at those chicken wigs.

RiseAbove

Three days in Dublin? Ah, doesn’t do it justice! I recently spent three weeks in the country on a second visit and it was wonderful. Now, Ireland has been hit hard by austerity and cuts to their national budget, and so times are rough n stuff (where are they not at this point?), but that can be a boon when trying to find accomodation, as I was able to book a room right on O’Connell Street (the heart of the city in many ways) for about 40 euros a night (try that in New York, even with the exchange rate). It’s all good in the hood.

I must say I didn’t do the fancy restaurants (I saw this one featured though,, in and around Dame Street) because I spent a lot of time taking in the Dublin streets on foot (and therefore ate on the go), but you can get some nice pastries, baguettes, and other quick food from any of the shops that cater to that sort of thing rather easily. Dublin is a very walkable city, and even if you are directionally challenged like I am, you’d be hard pressed to get lost for too long.

And if you have any bone in you for literature, history, theatre, film, politics, and especially music, Dublin will keep you happily busy with all of them. Take a trip to Merrion Square Park and meet up with the statue of Oscar Wilde, have a go at Temple Bar and find the old haunts of the Dubliners (legendary traditional music outfit), or take a somber trip to Kilmainham Gaol, where much of the struggle for Irish independence from Britain was played out. No shortage of stuff to see and do–and especially take pictures of (and that’s just Dublin. Get on a bus tour and take a trip to the coast, particularly the west coast, Galway, Dingle, and the Cliffs of Moher, which is one of the most stunning places to put your eyes on in the world. I swear, I cried, lol!).

As for swirling–Irish men will worship you, especially if you can sing and if you’re up for a bit of drink (if you don’t plan to drink alcohol, don’t go into any Irish pub. Even if you don’t buy yourself, someone will come along and buy for you if they hear your accent, and see that you aren’t indulging in the spirits enough). However, some caution is necessary: with the rise of multiculturalism (as Tanisha referenced), there are rather vocal racist elements to deal with, especially as austerity hits harder each day. But, barring that, Irishmen love all kinds of women, and they are not shy about telling you how much (after a few pints, especially). It’s an interesting thing; some of what they pull in the charm department American men couldn’t get away with without looking like a chump or a total player, whereas an Irish guy could get away with flattering Jesus, lol. They are masters at getting us Yanks to loosen up a bit and let the hair hair down, without being threatening about it. And some of them are SO FREAKIN HAWT that it’s painful, even some of the older ones, lol! I never met a pub that I didn’t feel welcome in, didn’t dance in, and didn’t laugh to the rafters in. Keep your head about you–if you want–and you’ll have a grand time there. And practice your singing!!

Ah, I can talk Ireland all day!

Brenda55

@RiseAbove
“Ah, I can talk Ireland all day!”

Well no one here will stop you have at it. : )
Tucking this post away also.

RiseAbove

@Brenda55
Sure thing, Brenda, hahaha! I’ll go more in depth on the men in the next post! WOOOOOT!!!

blackpanthershay

@RiseAbove Share some more with us! 🙂

Diamondz28x2

Dublin is absolutely boo-tiful. I spent about 9 days there and really wanna go back one day hopefully soon

blackpanthershay

Still thinking of those wings lol So I checked out the menu lol

RiseAbove

@blackpanthershay
Well, this guy is my favorite Irishman at the moment (and for the forseeable future, lol). We’re wonderful friends, and I see him whenever he’s on the road this side of the pond, which is always a treat and a half. Now, he’s not every woman’s cuppa (as the locals would say), but I happen to find him irresistably hot. First off, I like my guys big and tall and burly if I can get them that way, and he’s got that going on in spades. Additionally, this one bucks a lot of the stereotypes about what guys who look like him and come from the working-class background that he does should be like. He’s a musical artist, a soul man, a drinkin’ man, a boxin’ man, and fiercely proud of being Irish, without a bone of the xenophobia that often goes along with that (gets a lot of inspiration from the freedom struggles of black people all over the diaspora, and will name drop our icons in his songs). He can also talk to you about music, art, politics, history, fighting, and film all day–all the while being rather plain spoken and humble about it all. And his fans would kill for him if he asked them to–though, he’d more than likely just ask for them to sing louder.

Aw, I’m rambling again. Here, watch the video if you feel like. This is him, doing a cover version of Ewan MacColl’s “Schooldays Over” Viva Damo!

WorldTravelingChic

My saliva glands just went crazy. Thanks a lot!

No, seriously, thank you for this post. I have Ireland on my radar and it seems as though Dublin just moved ahead of Belfast. Will travel for food! 😀

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @blackpanthershay Um, he just looks like he should be playing rugby somewhere. I think that would be enough for me. Just sayin’. :DReally, though, rugby player looking + accent + musician + conversationalist + humble? Yeah, I can see why he’s your favorite Irishman at the moment!

@WorldTravelingChic @RiseAbove @blackpanthershay
I agree he’s truly easy on the eyes.. If you ask me he appears to be the total package.. 🙂

DivineBeauty75

@RiseAbove
I’m so happy you did this post I will be heading there next year just to hang out for a few days.. I’m not sure why I’m so taken with Ireland and Germany..

DivineBeauty75

Thanks for sharing I’m so heading to Ireland next year to get it out of my system. Thanks for the fantastic feed back I can’t wait to go and eat the food..

blackpanthershay

@RiseAbove Yeah he’s a big one…errrr I see he also sings of the Irish who were transported to Barbados.
Thanks for sharing!!

blackpanthershay

@DivineBeauty75 @RiseAbove I am taken with Ireland as well and Scotland..but Ireland does something to me.

I really need to visit!

RiseAbove

@blackpanthershay @DivineBeauty75
I wouldn’t steer you guys wrong, hahaha! Indeed, he’s a big one, all right. But he wears his big and tall clothes well. I’d love to put him in a suit (not that I’m Miss Flashy Dress, either, but he’d look so good in one), since he’s height and weight proportionate, and see him rock it down Grafton Street some day. And you haven’t lived until you’ve gotten one of his special bear hugs. Orgasm witcha clothes on, for real! Damn, hahaha!
But seriously, his voice and passion in music are the kind of we need in the world–and he tries to be that example to his own fans that his musical heroes were/are for him. I can dig it.

Conor Flannery

Yeah, my girl has been telling me, “Take me to Ireland”, since I’ve talked about being there a few times, but those lads there would be altogether too friendly to her, I know. I’ll have to relent at some point, but it will make me a little nervous being there with her, and having all those admirers about.

Those boys are not shy around slim, attractive, smart, bubbly American black girls, not at all. They get very, very focused. And Irishmen are charming, don’t you know?

KendraTaylor

You had me at Rhubarb lemonade. I bookmarked this article under restaurants/traveling. Whenever I’m able to make it to Ireland, I’m going to just keep a sleeping bag in this restaurant, it seems like i’ll be needing to rest after such a meal

KendraTaylor

@WorldTravelingChic Is there any other reason to travel besides food. Just kidding. :/ Sadly, if I was right, no one would go to England

blackpanthershay

@Conor Flannery only slim attractive eh?

Conor Flannery

@blackpanthershay In most of Europe, what Americans consider “a little overweight” is considered fat. For men and women. Cultural difference.

Just the way it is, I had nothing to do with it.

Conor Flannery

@RiseAbove @blackpanthershay Nice cover. And that song’s been covered a lot, so that’s saying something.

The Irish love to sing. The caustic saying the Irish voice about themselves and their futile struggle against the English is this: “Fifteen minutes of fighting and one hundred years of song”.

The battles never lasted long, but, oh, how grand the telling in the songs we sang…

Would it be okay to go there by myself? I’m not talking about from a safety standpoint. But like….is it weird to travel alone? Thoughts?

WorldTravelingChic

@KendraTaylor RIGHT? The best food I found in England was the Krispy Kreme donut shop in Harrod’s. I chased this dude DOWN to find out where he got that green, white and red box.Well, that’s not entirely true. I had some of the best Indian food at a cousin’s house.

@emmerdale94 I’m going alone and hitting Scotland, London and Germany as well. I’ve procrastinated long enough. If I don’t behave like “doe eyed lost tourist” I think I’ll be fine.

WorldTravelingChic

@Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay I’m totally not disagreeing with you about Irishmen finding slim, bubbly American girls irresistible but I find the sentiment itself kinda interesting. When I was in Europe in 2006, my sis and I started in Italy and traveled north to the UK. We noticed that the further north we went, the bigger the people were. Your comment makes me wonder about the different culture’s definition of “slim”. Just as “a little overweight” means different things in the UK vs. the US, I have a feeling those labels vary in Europe as well.

Sorry, variations in culture and perception fascinate me. 🙂

WorldTravelingChic

@emmerdale94 Not at all! I have friends who do it all the time. I personally drag my sister along everywhere I go. To me, it’s just more fun that way. 🙂

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @blackpanthershay @DivineBeauty75 Um, you had me at bear hug?I love it when a guy knows how to hug well. There are a few men in my life that I literally tackle when I see them because so many guys don’t do it right.

emmerdale94

@DJD2013 I used to live in Scotland! It’s a great place. As is London (probably my favorite city in the world other than my hometown of Wash DC). You’ll love both!

RiseAbove

@Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
Oh no, that’s not been my experience in Ireland!! I’m not “slim” by American standards at all–I am curvy, wih meat on the bones, a healthy bust–and Irishmen get drawn to that like a bee to honey, even if they themselves are actually “in shape” or fit (often due to genetics or the type of manual labor they do, not so much cuz they go to the gym). It actually surprised me that I got so much attention, considering the way we tend to judge women as unworthy even if they are even slightly overweight here. I’ve never met an Irishman, from any walk of life, who wanted skin and bones in a bag. They remember The Famine, they ain’t tryin’ to play that, lol!!!

TracyAskew

I’ve travel about 90% of the time by myself and I love it. People tend to be more open to you. They approach you more in conversation, especially if they hear the American accent. The Irish are very hospitable. I’ve traveled all through Europe and never really felt out of place, but with one exception…in German dominated Gran Canaria Spain. The Germans there were sooo rude to me. They would actually come to my table during my meals and stare. I though I even heard a growl at one point. lol Anyway, I just smiled and said “Care to join me?’

RiseAbove

@WorldTravelingChic @blackpanthershay @DivineBeauty75
Aw, yeah, man, they’re great, those hugs. In fact, the first time I met him was at the end of a gig in New York, about six years ago, with a bear hug. I was so overcome by the emotion, the community spirit of the crowd (everyone still singing, even after he left the stage), that, as he walked toward me to get back to the dressing room, something of an impulse just took over and I stepped out in front of him to give him a little hug of thanks. Little did I know that I had stepped into the best hug I have ever gotten: breast bone, muscle, sweat, rib cage, chest, broad back, all of it. And he just held me (I was gonna do a quickie and let him on his way, honest!), held me tightly, and I could feel the passion he has for his music and his audience pass to me. There went the neighborhood! Hooked ever since, and probably for many years to come (as long as he continues doing what he does).

Anyway, when he let go finally and scampered off, I turned around and just watched him walk away to the dressing room, jaw agape, and I had to touch myself to see if my head were still on my shoulders, lol! He’s amazing on stage, and a wonderful man off stage as well: funny with a healthy sense of irony, generous (he patrons children’s charities as well as anti-drug efforts in Ireland), politically astute, and a lover of swimming in the Irish Sea (brrrrr!). Grooviness!

Hmm, like Ireland, I can talk about Damo all day, lol!

RiseAbove

@Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
Indeed, Conor. I absolutely ADORE traditional Irish music. In many ways, it is the sister music to our own trad here in America and the Caribbean (and by extension, Africa) and I can feel that connection strongly. If I get around a bunch of Irish folks doing a session (or seisun) in a pub, I don’t know their songs well enough to do them justice (mixed up verses), but I can and do offer up the spirituals I remember as a child (and I didn’t go to church. Shows you how symbiotic religion and black culture are), old blues tunes that I know, a chain gang or work song thrown in, old school R&B ballads (Bill Withers, Sam Cooke, etc.,)–and the whole place will shut up when I start singing. I don’t have the loudest voice in the world, and so I guess they realize this when I get going, but then the whole joint (which could be all of ten people at any given time) will break out into applause and ask for another. I don’t think I’ve ever sang as much in my life at one time as I did when I was in Ireland, lol!! It’s wonderful!

RiseAbove

@emmerdale94 @DJD2013
Oh, I got Scotland on lock, too, lol. Used to date a man from Fife, and spent many a wonderful summer vacay over there with him. Had to support DAFC at East End Park for the footie. Something of a second home, even though we aren’t together that way anymore. 🙂

@TracyAskew Spain, yes, I’ve heard dark skinned people in Spain are treated as a lower class and bright fair skin people are accepted. Spain will never see my currency.

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @blackpanthershay @DivineBeauty75 Whew! YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THAT HUG! Lawd. *fans self* I think I’ve developed a little crush on him based on your description alone and haven’t even met the man. Well done!

I’m going to have to reserve judgment on his love for swimming in the Irish Sea. After I’ve tried it myself I’ll let you know if I think he’s crazy. 😉

WorldTravelingChic

@TracyAskew What the cuss at the Germans coming to your table and staring. I can already tell I don’t need to go there. My mouth would get me in trouble.

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay This is good to know going in! I guess I’ll have to get over my fear of singing in public. 🙂

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay Thanks for presenting an alternate point of view. I tend to think that men have varied tastes just like us ladies but couldn’t speak for the Irish.

RiseAbove

@WorldTravelingChic @blackpanthershay @DivineBeauty75
Hahaha, well, my job is done! I’ve sort of taken it a bit upon myself to promote Mr. Dempsey and his music through word of mouth, or computer, if you will because, although he’s a star in Ireland, he’s only got small, yet growing, pockets of rabid fans here, and generally that means where the Irish diaspora is strongest–New York, Chicago, Boston, etc., He also has a hearty fan base in England, Scotland, and Australia, but much of the rest of the world hasn’t heard of this man, and he’s living fire, as far as I’m concerned.

And btw, when he sees that non-Irish, particularly black people, and particularly black women, turn up at gigs, it makes him beyond happy (and he notices who’s who in the crowd, haha). To him, black folks have been heroic throughout the struggle, and share a lot of commonalities with the Irish, even if some Irish wouldn’t want to admit that, to be honest. And black women are gorgeous. So, take a bow, sisters. Cool and sexy men (like Damo) have noticed you, and they like what they’ve noticed!

RiseAbove

@WorldTravelingChic @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
Sure, you get differences with everyone, of course, but yes, in my experience, men from the UK and Ireland are so hung up on that, though my interaction has mostly been with men from working-class backgrounds. They’re often a bit rugged and weather-worn themselves (which can be nice), so it balances out somewhat.

@WorldTravelingChic @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
Well, the whole thing about the session is that, even if you aren’t the best singer, you can still be called to offer up a song, and the gathering will be understanding. The thing that might get you a frown or two is if you don’t TRY; there might be a bit of pestering for the shy ones, but if you persist in not singing, they’ll leave you be, but somehow, it’s not as much fun if you don’t at least attempt to participate. And I’ve found that once you get going, you keep going, haha! A little bit of the drink might help with the inhibitions as well, of course. 😉

DivineBeauty75

@emmerdale94
I travel often by myself.. I think its OK just stay safe and let someone know where you.. you’ll be just find.. I actually prefer to travel alone. I don’t think its weird.. I say get out of your comfort zone and see the world.. 🙂

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay Thanks for the clarification on the “aren’t”. 🙂

I get that men, in general, are attracted to fit or slender women. I think our media continues to push the envelope regarding how those two labels are defined, but that’s a whole other point of discussion. As fit but busty size 6/8 gal, I found the folks in the UK to be around my size or bigger. I just figured that, yeah, there’s the ideal men fantasize about but then there are the individual choices that people make. I would hope the preference “most” men have for slim women doesn’t keep anyone from stepping out there and exploring.

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @emmerdale94 @DJD2013 Man, I had THE BEST sticky toffee pudding in Aberdeen. I’ve been trying to find something that comes close to it ever since. No such luck. 🙁

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @blackpanthershay @DivineBeauty75 *takes a bow* That’s awesome. This helped Ireland find its way back to the top of my list for 2016.

If I ever hear that he’s having a show when I’m around those parts, I’ll definitely make an effort to show up … and find my way into one of those bear hugs. I’ll tell him you sent me. 😉

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay Good to know. I don’t usually need liquid courage to do crazy things but that might be one occasion that calls for it!

DivineBeauty75

@WorldTravelingChic @RiseAbove @blackpanthershay
2016 I plan to go over there 2014.. No waiting around for this girl.. I wanted to go this year but didn’t not putting off any longer.. who knows if I plan it right I might pop over for St Patrick’s Day 2014 .. 🙂 I will definitely tell him you sent me and find out if he has a friend who’s a carbon copy of him..:-)

DivineBeauty75

@WorldTravelingChic @RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
I didn’t think they really cared that much for skinny women.. I thought they liked some curves..Hmmmm Interesting.

WorldTravelingChic

@DivineBeauty75 @RiseAbove @blackpanthershay If I could go next year I would but I have Asia and Australia on tap for 2014. 🙁

DivineBeauty75

@WorldTravelingChic @RiseAbove @blackpanthershay
I have Australia and Thailand on radar for 2015.. trying to think of 2 more places to visit during that year..

WorldTravelingChic

@DivineBeauty75 @RiseAbove @blackpanthershay I vote South America … but I’ll always vote South America. I have friends all over that part of the continent!

RiseAbove

@WorldTravelingChic @blackpanthershay @DivineBeauty75
Hahaha, go for it, WTC, and yeah, tell him I sent you! Though I don’t use my name here, he might know who you’re talking about just from the manner of posts. When I used to write on his message board and he’d lurk (the sneaky bastard) to see what his fans were saying about him, he knew who I was because he knew me well enough offline, hahaha. When I saw him recently, we even talked about it, with him complimenting me on my political awareness and my writing skills (they’re ok, I guess).

But getting close in Ireland might be a challenge, depending on the gig. At some of the smaller, more intimate pub gigs there might be a shot, but I saw him once at a larger venue outside Dublin and he was in and out of the building pretty quickly, so no face time. Might be better to catch him over here, since he does CD signings and the like after the show. If you’re close to New York or the midwest, that might be the ticket. 🙂

RiseAbove

@DivineBeauty75 @WorldTravelingChic @blackpanthershay
Actually, he has a uileann pipes player chum who accompanies him sometimes on stage and who’s pretty hot, too, and somewhat built like him, though a tad (not much) shorter. Lots of fellas look like Damo in Ireland, or at least a close approximation thereof, haha!

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @DivineBeauty75 @blackpanthershay Yep! Top of the list for 2016! 😀

DivineBeauty75

@WorldTravelingChic @RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
I’m not discourage as I’m going to go and do me.. I’m a perfect size 10 or 12 depend on the cut.. and chances are those men who want a thin women couldn’t hold my attention anyone.. just like most men are picky they haven’t seen picky until they try and step to me.. I like to have fun and enjoy life and I’m confident that I’ll be hanging out with some really cool guys when I go abroad.. Men pretend to like skinny women but they really fantasize about the curves.. when I go walking or running they’re always smiling and speaking.. I smile and keep moving.. Everyone wants someone to hold on to.. just saying 🙂

DivineBeauty75

@RiseAbove @WorldTravelingChic @blackpanthershay

WorldTravelingChic

@RiseAbove @DivineBeauty75 @blackpanthershay Just listened to “Born Without Hate”. Nice! I see what you mean about his references to blacks and the struggle. Wow.

DivineBeauty75

@WorldTravelingChic @RiseAbove @blackpanthershay
I will keep that in mind and South America is great.. WTC we should try and connect on a trip.. 🙂

WorldTravelingChic

@DivineBeauty75 @RiseAbove @blackpanthershay We should do a BB&W trip, right? 😀

RiseAbove

@WorldTravelingChic @DivineBeauty75 @blackpanthershay
YES! I was actually going to upload that here as an example of an original song, as opposed to the trad stuff! You beat me to it WTC! It’s off his latest record ‘Almighty Love’ and it’s probably my favorite of all on that recording, though I love all his songs, a rare thing for any artist.

He’s not a perfect singer, and his north Dub accent can be hard to understand at times (not really, but it is thick), but he’s still got the magic. He’s real, you know? What you see and hear is what you get–and yet he still manages to come up with some deeply profound stuff.

There is an episode of Sons of Anarchy where they use one of his songs, “Spraypaint Backalley,” and it breaks your heart, I tell you. And he quotes Oscar Wilde in it. Nothing more to love than that.

DivineBeauty75

@WorldTravelingChic @RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
I so agree with you.. I’m very out going and can be off the chain.. 🙂 love to have fun

@emmerdale94
I went to Ireland alone back in 2007 and got a date on my second day there! A friend of mine both have birthdays in February, we want to celebrate by having high tea in England. I’m thinking of adding a side trip back to Dublin!

RiseAbove

Okay, a little more endorsement and a couple more tunes from Mr. Dempsey, and then, as he might say, “I’ll be givin’ youse all a wee break, like, hahaha.”

This one is the title track off his latest. A rousing little number, especially at the end. Shower singing stuff:

And this one is my favorite of the lot, over five or six records. And again, while he’s a rough singer in many respects, the real shines through on this. You totally get where he’s coming from. It was the hook that reeled me in, and has yet to let go:

Cheers, everyone for the indulgence! Gwan da Damo!

Conor Flannery

@Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay Ladies, really. I mean, c’mon. Irishmen don’t like skinny women. I’m one of them, I’m a US and Irish National. I’m 6’2″, 223 pounds.(or 16 stone, if you will), and I don’t want a skinny girl. Fit, toned, strong, with lots of big curves is what they like, it’s what I like, it’s what almost all men like in a woman.

And no one’s going to shun you if you’re a size 12. You’ll have plenty, and I mean, plenty of company. Irishmen love women. They REALLY love American black women. Full stop.

Drink, laugh, sing with those lads, and I guarantee you’ll have some lovely memories of your time in Ireland.

@Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay Okay, so…a guy from Scotland and I were discussing the differences between American men and European men’s like of different women and their sizes, shapes… this is one of his HILARIOUS responses below that had me laughing until I cried.
“As for the intricacies of how/why so many American men are in the closet (about wanting women with “boy bodies” because they are secretly gay), that’s a subject I have no interest in studying! I once got slapped in the face for proposing that it’d be logical for men to have a bigger, curvier woman to keep them warm in winter and a skinny one for the summer (no chance of overheating with a woman who has almost no surface area). I was 100% joking but the woman who slapped me didn’t care. Here in Scotland, it’s cold all the time. Wait a moment…maybe I’m onto something there!”
I wish I could post all of our conversations here but there’s not enough room. My point is, Irishmen and Scottishmen and German men in Germany- and Denmark too really do like curvy women for more than just winter warmth.

Brenda55

@Conor Flannery
I want to thank you for posting this. Weight issues among black women is second only to hair issues. Both IMO are a royal PIA when the subject comes up in conversation.

Whether black women want to accept it on not men….most of them…… find fit well groomed women attractive. Women…..most of them………find fit well groomed men attractive. This should not be a not a hard concept to grasp.

I know, I know fat men and fat women find mates. Fat men and fat women even find mates with people who are not fat. Count me in that group.

So when a guy posts something like this:
“In most of Europe, what Americans consider “a little overweight” is considered fat. For men and women. Cultural difference.

Just the way it is, I had nothing to do with it.”

Take it for what it is worth especially if he is in the position to know since he comes from that culture. That is valuable information that you can use and part of the reason this site is here to foster this kind of interaction from men who swirl to women who swirl.

So if you want to improve your chances with the opposite sex from a culture different from your own, know your audience and show up with your A game in place. It should not be a sin to say that.

@RiseAbove @Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay I haven’t been to Ireland, but I’ve met quite a few young ones, fresh off the boat, here in my neck of the woods. I’m not skinny, but very curvaceous (T & A, honey) and nice looking! Needless to say, those young Irish boys were fighting each other to get next to me, while overlooking some skinnier chicks! So, I guess taste vary among Irishmen. Also, I noticed that the Irish boys, who were attached, had curvy girlfriends.

Everyone has their own personal definition of fat, ugly, beautiful, and desirable! There someone for everyone! 🙂

blackpanthershay

@RiseAbove Mr Dempsey looks a bit familiar

DivineBeauty75

@Conor Flannery @blackpanthershay
@Conor thanks for the comment and I totally agree with you.. 🙂

I found Italians to be the same…at least the one’s I came across. I lived in Italy for 2 years and travel there quite frequently. I’m a size 12 and never had issues in the dating arena. My last boyfriend of 2 years was Italian. I think carrying yourself with confidence helps also.

DivineBeauty75

@TracyAskew
I agree having confidence in oneself is very important..

TracyAskew

@WorldTravelingChic Trust me…it took a lot of control. It was an intimidation method. Nothing gets the goat of a bully more than when you oblivious to their actions. They expect “us” to get rude back and it pisses them off when we don’t. I will ask you “Do you Need a Hug?” in a second. That really gets rude people hot. They don’t know what to say. I refuse to let ignorance ruin my trip. If I don’t accept it at home I definitely won’t accept it abroad.

TracyAskew

@DJD2013 I don’t plan on going back either. A friend of my had a run in with some skin heads in Barcelona.

WorldTravelingChic

@TracyAskew I’ve never encountered racism or intimidation like this overseas, so I’ll have to remember to take a page out of your book if I ever do encounter it.

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